About two weeks ago, my eldest daughter celebrated her 18th birthday. From a bright little girl born on a cloudy Friday morning, she has turned into a beautiful and intelligent young lady. All grown up and ready to face the world, even as her eyes show a strange fragility.
Morning girl, how’d you sleep last night?
You’re several ages older now
Your eyes have started showing how
The little girl’s growing now
This was the girl that I used to put to sleep in a makeshift hammock and sent to pre-school not really knowing if we could afford the costs. As she grew up into her teens, I watched silently from afar as she got her heart broken many times.
Morning girl, was that you last night?
Crying on the radio
Begging for a way to go
Back where love wasn’t jumbled so
Things have changed so much for her that it’s hard for me to keep up at times. Often, I would ask myself if I was doing a good job as a father, especially for not telling her that life is cruel, and love is not always about chocolates and flowers.
Oh, no, things are different now than they were before
You know love is more than kisses
A whole lot more
Yet, looking at her now, I can sense confidence and optimism in her, a cheerful outlook in life that can never be shaken despite the odds. Much like that first morning when her birth gave me a new reason to continue living. I just hope that she will remain that way, and that I will still be around when she finds the man who will love her and care for her in ways that I have not been able to do.
Morning girl, put your dreams away
And read your box of Cheerios
And powder-puff that pretty nose
And go out and find your man where the wild wind blows
Morning girl
Originally recorded by the psychedelic pop band Neon Philharmonic in 1969, “Morning Girl” was eventually covered by several other artists. This included Shaun Cassidy who performed the song as part of the tracks in his 1976 self-titled debut album, rising to became his first hit single.
Before Shaun, the American iconic trio The Lettermen also did a cover of “Morning Girl” in 1971. Their version of the song was on the mellow side and was part of the album Everything’s Good About You.
AKA Music 